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One might forgive Oliver Glasner for preferring to spend a restful few days with his family in Austria ahead of Christmas, rather than preparing for Crystal Palace's 29th match of the campaign—a League Cup last-eight clash against Arsenal. However, the idea that Palace could prioritize other tournaments was quickly rejected by their manager.

"Absolutely not, I do not believe that," stated Glasner following his team's side's 4-1 hammering to Leeds. "Should anyone informs me that we are defeated on purpose, the following day I'm not the manager any more."

There is a marked difference in Glasner's strategy to domestic cup competitions relative to his predecessor, Roy Hodgson. This initially became clear during Palace's run to the Carabao Cup last eight in his debut full season in command. Under Hodgson, the club had already been eliminated from each of the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when Glasner assumed control at Selhurst Park. In contrast, Glasner picked his best side for wins over Norwich, QPR, and Aston Villa, paving the way for a meeting with Arsenal.

That previous quarter-final match ended in a three-two loss at the Emirates Stadium, due to a rather controversial hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus, despite Palace having led at the interval. Now, Glasner now faces the task to figure out a strategy for revenge against the present Premier League pace-setters in a fixture that was moved to this week owing to European commitments.

The Price of Achievement and Continental Fatigue

Glasner has, in a sense, been a casualty of his own achievements. Guiding Palace to their first major trophy with victory in the FA Cup final subsequently ushered in the rigors of continental football for the first time. These demands are catching up with several weary squad members, many of whom have barely enjoyed a break all term.

The manager deployed an completely changed lineup, featuring four teenagers, in their final Conference League fixture. Yet, ahead of the Arsenal clash, he admitted he will have "no option" but to select the bulk of his first-choice side, which appeared decidedly lethargic as they unusually let in four goals from set-pieces versus Leeds. "Have to. Yes, must," he said.

The Gunners' Perspective and Team Dilemmas

For Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, the situation are distinct. The manager must balance his ambition to win a another major trophy with extreme pragmatism. Last year, a muscle injury to Bukayo Saka sustained in a league game against Palace just days after their Carabao Cup comeback significantly damaged their title hopes.

Arteta had made several changes for that League Cup tie but was forced to introduce his "big-hitters" after the break. Saka came off the bench to assist Jesus for a decisive goal in a passage of play that left Glasner "incensed" over a potential offside, with no VAR in operation—a scenario that will be the case again on Tuesday.

Arsenal are on an eight-match unbeaten streak against Palace, featuring seven wins. Gabriel Jesus, who netted a hat-trick in last season's League Cup meeting and two in a later league win before sustaining a long-term knee injury, looks set to start for the first time since that injury. Arteta disclosed the forward wrote a "beautiful" letter to his teammates about what football signifies to him.

"We are used to it," said Arteta on the congested schedule. "I think this week was the only full week we had to get ready. The rest until February at least is going to be similar. We have a wonderful chance to go into the last four of a competition so we will be prepared."

With key players coming back from injury and a desire to progress, Arsenal present a formidable challenge for a Palace side urgently in need of rejuvenation as the holiday schedule ramps up.